Method of making structural units



5. MAcoMBER mzmon OF MAKINGVSTRUCTURAIL um's Feb. 25, 1930. v

Original Filed Feb. 16, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet Feb. 25, 1930.

s. MACOMB ER METHOD OF MAKING STRUCTURAL UNITS 2 sheets-sheet 2 OriginalFiled Feb. '16, 1923 //YVENTO/? 57:4N4E1 Mao/v55? I case of joists infloor construction,

. unit is particularly application Serial particularly pointed out inthe claims,

reamed Feb. 25, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STANLEY MACOMBEB, OFIHJGEFIELI) DISTRICT, STARK COUNTY, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE HACOMBER STEELCOMPANY,'OF CANTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO METHOD OF MAKINGSTRUCTURAL UNITS Original application filed February 16, 1928, SerialNo. 619,401. Divided and this application filed April 1a, 1925. Serial110,. 269,713.

The subject matter of this application has been divided out of mypending application Serial No. 619,401, filed February 16,1923, uponstructural units and methods of making same.

' This invention relates more particularly to the method of fabricatinga truss section or.

other structural unit for buildings and the like from a single piece, i.e., sheet of metal,

the operation involved in the formation of such section being performed,if deslred, without reheating the metal. While the particular object ofthe invention is the provision of a light weight section adapted to actas a beam in carrying light loads, as in the the utilit of the inventionis not limited to any suc particular field or for that matter to anymethod for producing such particular type of structural element. Inother words, the unit produced by my improved method, which claimed insaid pending No. 619,401, may be also advantageously employed in theconstruction of columns, as a roof purlin and as a remforcement forconcrete in floors and the like.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the inventionthen consists in the steps hereinafter fully described 231d e annexeddrawings and the following description setting forth in detail onemethod exemplifying myinvention, such disclosed procedure constituting,however, but one of the various applications of the principle of myinvention.

' In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the initial or starting plate from whicha'structural unit is fashioned by the succession of steps constitutingmy novel method of manufacture, such such truss member, the plane of thesection bemg indicated by the line 3-3, Figure 2;

Flgure 4 is a horizontal section of the same, taken on the planeindicated by the line 4-4, Fi re 2;

igure 5 is a broken perspective view of such member Figures 6, rioussections of the initial or starting plate which may be used infashioning such element or structural unit;

Fi me 12 is a diagrannnatic representat1on in side elevation of suchtruss element showing its use as a beam or a girder hung below supports;

Figure v13 is a View similar to Figure 12 but showing such elementinverted above supports;

Figure 14 similarly shows the same employed as a roof purlin;

7, 8,. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate va- Figure 15 illustrates the use thereofas a beam or girder between columns, one of the latter consisting ofsuch element in modified form;

Figures 16 and 17 are sections likewise more or less diagrammatic incharacter illustrating the employment of such an element in steel trussjoist floor construction; and

Figure 18 shows such element used as a support and reinforcement forconcrete floor construction.

The initial or starting plate A, shown in plan in Figure 1, to which theprocedure of my improved method is applied to produce the forms ofstructural unit shown by way of illustration in the accompanyingdrawings, is of elongated rectangular form and of a cross-sectionillustrated in Figure 6. The overall dimensions of the plate A, as wellas its thickness, will vary, of course, with the length which it isdesired the' finished structural unit shall have and the calculatedstrains and stresses which such unit will be required to sustain. Asalready indicated, the initial step. in the fabrication of such unitfrom the plate consists in the shearing, slitting or punching of thesame along oppositely disposed, irregular L-shaped lines (1 adjacent therespective ends thereof and along two parallel series of similarZ-shaped portions of the slits a and adjacent slits of slits a and alines a intermediately of such ends. It will be noted that thelongitudinally extending a! overlap and that similarly suchlongitudinally extending ortions of the slits a. overlap each other; aso, that the narrow portions 1 of the metal sheet lying between such lontudinally extending slit portions are 5dsigned to be bent transverselyof the median line of the slit as a whole at points a.

As a result of the form and arrangement when such portions 1 of thesheet are bent downwardly at the points (1 the effect will be todisplace from the central portion 2 of the sheet the continuous, i. e.-,uncut, lateral portions 3 and 4, such continuous lateral ortions beingat' the same time shiftedlongltudinally in opposite directionsrelatively to the main portion 2. The lateral portions are then broughttogether, it being noted that the transverse portions of the zigzag .orZ-shaped slits a, when the portions of the sheet are thus displaced,present shoulders 5 that are adapted to interlock,.as shown in Figure 4,substantially in the transverse laneof said central member 2. It willalso e noted that the adjacent portions 1 of the strip extend inopposite diagonal directions,

when viewed in side elevation, from the central strip portion 2 and thelateral strip portions 3 and 4 when-these are thus brought intojuxtaposition and interlocked in the fashion just described (see Figs. 2and 5). Finally, it will be noted that, as shown in Figure 3, suchportions 1 incline inwardly or converge at their lower ends, such lowerends being substantially in longitudinal alignment while their upperends are alternately attached to opposite sides of the mid-portion 2 ofthe sheet.

It will be obvious from the description thus given of the manner inwhich a sheet of metal is first cut or slitted and the resultant partsthereupon bent and.- fitted together,-

that a truss-like structure is formed, the midportion or rib 2 of thesheet constituting one chord, the juxtaposed and interlocked lateralportions 3 and 4 constituting the other chord and the diagonal portions1 constituting the web members of the truss. The ends of suchresultant'truss member may be variously formed or arranged. Thus, asillustrated in Figures 2 and 5 (see also Figures 12 and 13), therelatively wide terminal portions 6 constituting the ends of the mid-ribportion 2 and the relatively wide terminal portions 7 constituting oneend of the lateral chord member 3 and one end of the lateralchord-member 4, which relatively wide terminal portions 6 and 7 remainattached to the mid-rib portion 2' and the lateral portions 3 and 4, arebrought into overlapping relation in approximately the plane of suchmid-rib portion and there riveted, welded or otherwise permanentlysecured together in any desired manner. As a result, not only is a truetruss structure resented, but the terminal portions 6 and thus securedtogether rovide a convenient projection at each on of the truss for useas a bearing plate .for such truss, whether the latter is ungbelowsupports 10 as illustrated in Figure 12, or is inverted above suchsu ports, as shown in Figure 13. It is also possible by bending theseterminal portions 6 and .7, so that they will,lie 'at an obtuse angle tothe plane of mid-portion 2, or, in other words, to the median line ofthe truss, to adapt the latter for use in an'inclined position betweensupports 11 and 12,"as shown in Figure 14, where use of the truss memberas a roof purlin is illustrated. For that matter such terminal portions6 and 7 may be bent at a right angle to the median line of the truss andthe latter thus adapted to be secured against the vertical faces ofcolumns 13 and 14, as shown in Figure 15. In this last-mentioned figure,the column 14 at-the right illustrates still another adaptation of atruss produced by my improved method, viz, as a' column or verticalsupport, the only change involved being the overlapping of'such terminalportions 6 and 7 so as to form a box-like end for the structureinsteadof a projection, as in the several forms hereinbefore described.

The specific form of structural element produced by my improved method,shown in Figures 2, 5 and 12, will find a large field of use as a joistin floor construction, examples of such use being illustrated in Figures16 and 17, where a series of such elements 15 are shown in diagrammaticcross-section. In Figure 16 a concrete floor 16 with con- .crete finish-17 is shown as being supported by such joist, while a plaster ceiling 18is hung therefrom in the usual manner. The only difference in theconstruction shown in Figure 17 is that the concrete portion 16 of thefloor has incorporated therein nailing strips 19 to which a wood floorfinish is attached. v

The use of the element as a column illustrated in Figure 15 rendersunnecessary the separate illustration of the use of such element as apartition stud, except to note that where employed in this lastmentioned manner, successive elementswill be disposed so as to face inopposite directions, thus additionally bracing and strengthening thewall. Suchelement 15, as illustrated in Figure 18, is very well adaptedfor use in reinforcing concrete, the particular use illustrated in thefigure in question being in a reinforced concrete floor or roofstructure 20 of Figpre 18, may be supported on hangers attac ed to theelements 15. The latter, in other words, will support the dead load ofthe floor construction until the concrete has set and the same hangers22 may be conveniently utilized to suspend the ceiling 23, if desired.

It is not considered necessary to show or describe any special machineor instrumentality, in the way of dies or the like, such as may be usedin the commercial fabrication of a structural unit by my improved methodinasmuch as it is a matter of indifference how the slits be formed inthe initial sheet A and the several portions of the latter thereuponbrought into the relationship illustrated in Figures 2 and 5. Obviouslysuch unit can be fabricated by hand with ordinary tools where made froma sheet of light section. Moreover, while all the operations involvedmay be performed in' the cold, I do not mean to exclude the possible useof hot bending where due to the thickness of the original sheet or forother reason this should be .found advantageous. It is emphasized,

. however, that the unit is formed wholly by slitting and bending theoriginal sheet or plate, there being no expanding or stretching of themetal whatever.

It has already been indicated that the thickness and the dimensions ofthe sheet employed in the carrying out of the procedure of the improvedmethod will be selected with a view to providing the necessary strengthfor the particular use to which the unit is to be put. Instead of beingof plain, i. e., flat cross-section, as shown in Figure 6, such platemay be of irregular cross-section in order to provide additionalthickness of material in certain of the parts of the unit when finished.Thus, as shown in Figure 7 the central portion of the. sheet A, fromwhich the mid-rib or chord element 2 is cut, may be thicker than therespective lateral portions. A similar modification is illustrated inFigure 8, except that'such thickened central portion is narrower andsomewhat higher; While in the plate or strip A, shown in Figure 9, suchcentral portion is transversely curved or humped. In Figure 10, themodified strip or plate A there shown is rolled with the central portionas well as the lateral portions thickened, the additional material beingof curved cross-section, so that the mid-rib and lateral portions of thefabricated unit will take on the form of rods. Fin ally, in Figure 11, Ishow a form of strip or plate similar to that shown'in Figure 7, exceptthat the central portion is thickened on both sides. i 9

It has already been explained that the terminal portions 6 and 7 whenbrought into overlapping relation may he s 'ured together in any desiredmanner. Sim' rly, the lateral portions 3 and 4 of the unit when broughtinto juxtaposed relation may be-welded, ri'veted or tied together atlongitudinally spaced oints, if desired.

It, 0 course, will be understood that while I have illustrated anddescribed a number of practical applications or uses for the structuralunit produced by my improved method, it is not meant to restrict its useto any particular purpose.

What I claim is:

1. In a method of makin a truss-like structural unit, the steps Whlchconsist in slitting a plate along an L-shaped line ad- 'acent an endthereof and along a series of -shaped lines intermediate the endsthereof, said L-shaped line being overlapped by the adjacent Z-shapedline, thus forming a longitudinally continuous ortion ada ted to form achord-member an a series 0 longitudinally aligned shorter portionsadapted to form web-members, said web-members remaining attached at oneend to said chordmember, and then bending said web-members into angularposition relatively to the plane of said chord-member.

2. In a method of making a truss-like structural unit, the ste s WhlChconsist in slitting a plate along L-s aped lines adjacent the respectiveends thereof and along two parallel series of Z-shaped linesintermediately said L-sha ed lines, the outer Z- shaped lines of eacseries overlapping the adjacent L-sha ed lines, respectively, to form alongitudinal 8 continuous portion adapted to form a chor -member and twolurality of series of longitudinally aligned s orter portions, one oneach side of sald chord-member, adapted to form web-members, saidwebmembers remaining attached at one end to said chord-member, and thenbending said web-members into angular position relatively to the planeof said chord-member.

3. In a method of making a truss-like structural unit, the steps whichconsist in slitting a plate into a longitudinally continuous portionadapted to form a chord-member and into two series of longitudinallyaligned shorter ortions, one on each side of said chord-mem er, ada tedto form webmembers, said web-mem rs remaining attached at one end tosaid chord-member, then bending said web-members along one side of saidchord-member into similarly inclined position relatively to the lane ofthe latter and longitudinally thereo similarly bending said web-members.along the other side of said chord-member but in the opposite direction,and finally bending said respective series of web-members to. inclinetransversely of said chord-member and so converge at their outer ends.

4. In a method of making a truss-like structural unit, the steps whlchconsist in slitting a plate into a plurality of parallel longitudinallycontinuous portlons adapted to form chord-members and into a series oflongitudinally aligned shorter portions lying between said continuousportions and each connected at one end toone of said continuous portionsand at the other end to another such portion, separating said continuousportions in a direction transverse to the plane thereof, whereby saidshorter portions are I bent into angular relation to such plane and formweb-members between adjacent chordmembers, and finally bending saidrespective series of web-members to incline transversely of saidchord-members, said web-members being thus bent transversely so as toconverge in pairs at their outer ends. a

5. In a method of makin a truss-like structural unit, the ste s whichcons st in slitting a plate along L-s aped lines ad acent the respectiveends thereof and along two parallel series of. Z-shaped linesmtermediately said L-shaped lines, the ad acent Z-shaped lines of eachseries overlapping and the outer Z-shaped lines of each ser1es'overlapping the adjacent L-shaped lines, respeciively, to form threeparallel longitudlnally continuous portions adapted to formchordmembers' and two series of longitudinally aligned shorter portions,one serles lyingon each side of the central'continuousportlon and theseveral portions thereof being connected at one end to such centralportion and at the other end to the adjacent continuous portion, andthen separating said continuous portions in a direction transverse tothe plane thereof, whereby said shorter portions are bent into angularrelation to such plane and form web-members between said chord-members.

6. In a method of making a truss-like structural unit, the steps whichconsist in slitting a plate into three parallel longitudinallycontinuous portions adapted to form chord-members and into two series oflongitudinally aligned shorter portions, one series lying on each sideof the central continuous portion and the several ortions thereof beingconnected at one en to such central portion and at the other end to theadjacent continuous portion, then separating the two outer continuousortions from such central portion both in the same direction, and suchdirection being transverse to the plane thereof, whereby said shorterportions are bent into angular relation to such plane and formwebmembers between said chord-members, and

then bringing said outer continuous portions to ether.-

In a method of making a truss-like structural unit, the steps whichconsist in slitting a plate along an L-shaped line adjacent an endthereof and along a series of Z- sha ed lines intermediate the endsthereof, sai L-shaped line being overlapped by the ad'acent Z-shapedline, thus forming a longi tu ally continuous portion adapted to formmember, and then brin ing the extreme and lane portions formed y theL-shaped line into overlapping relation.

8" In a method of making a truss-like structuralunit, the steps whichconsist in slitting a plate along L-shaped lines adjacent the respectiveends thereof and along two parallel series of Z-shaped linesintermediately said L-shaped lines, the outer Z-shaped lines of eachseries overlapping the adjacent L-shaped lines, respectively, to form alongitudinally continuous portion adapted to form a chord-member and twoseries of longitudinally aligned shorter portions, one on each side ofsaid chord-member, adapted to form web-members, said. web-membersremaining attached at one end to said chord-member, bending saidweb-members into angular position relativel to the plane of saidchordmembe'r, and t on bringing the extreme end plate portions formed bythe respective L- shaped lines into overlapping relation.

9. In' a method of making a truss-like structural unit, the steps whichconsist in slitting a plate into a longitudinally continuous portionadapted to form a chordmember and into two series of longitudinallyaligned shorter ortions, one on each side of said chord-mem er, adaptedto form webmembers, said web-members remaining attached at one end tosaid chord-member,

bending said web-members into angular position relatively to the planeof said chordmember, and finally bending said respective series ofweb-members to incline transverse l of sa1d chord-member and to convergeat t eir outer ends.

10. In a method of making a truss-like structural unit, the steps whichconsist in slitting a plate along L-shaped lines adjacent the respectiveends thereof and along two parallel series of Z-shaped linesintermediately said L-shaped lines, the adjacent Z- s'haped lines ofeach series overlapping and the outer Z-sha ed lines of each seriesoverlapping the ad acent L-shaped lines, respectively, to form threeparallel longitudinally continuous portions a apted to form chordmembersand two series of longitudinally aligned shorter portions, one serieslying on each side of the central continuous portion and the severalportions thereof being connected at one end to such central portion andat the other end to the adjacent continuous portion, separating saidcontinuous portions in a direction transverse to the plane v thereof,whereby said shorter portions are bent into angular relation to suchplane and form web-members between said chord-memhers, and then bringingthe extreme end plate portions formed by the respective L-shaped linesinto overlapping relation in approximately the plane of the centralcontinuous portion and securing them together to form terminal supports.

Signed by me this 28 day of March, 1928.

STANLEY MACOMBER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,748,423. Granted February 25, 1930, to

STANLEY MAooMBER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3,line 100, claim 2, strike out the words "plurality of"; page 4, line-1,claim 4, before the word "series" insert the words "plurality of"; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with these correctionstherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Office. I

Signed and sealed this 8th day of April, A. D. 1930.

M. J. Moore,

(Seal) Acti iig Commissioner of Patents.

